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Owned and Operated Growth

I Spent $20K Advertising Above Toilets… It Worked

📅 April 7, 2026 ⏱️ 35:06 🎤 John Wilson, Sam Preston

Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Weird Marketing Works
    John and Sam introduce the episode's theme: weird local marketing channels that still deliver results.
  • 0:39
    Toilet Advertising Success
    John shares his experience spending $20,000 a year to advertise above 116 toilets in a baseball stadium, despite initial skepticism.
  • 1:49
    Unexpected Print Leads
    John recounts how his dad generated eight leads from a $100 classified ad in a small local newspaper, targeting a niche market.
  • 2:30
    Cost-Per-View Value
    Sam emphasizes the low cost-per-view in these unconventional channels, often lower than digital ads, making them valuable for brand visibility.
  • 3:16
    Home Show Profitability
    John details how home shows, often considered outdated, generate between half a million and a million dollars annually for his business.
  • 3:54
    Micro-Influencers & Meetups
    The hosts discuss using local micro-influencers and B2B networking events with realtors or home inspectors for lead generation.
  • 5:06
    Testing & Consistency
    John and Sam conclude by advocating for testing these cheap, niche marketing efforts, stressing that consistency and being where competitors aren't can yield significant results.

Speakers

J
John Wilson
Host — CEO of Wilson Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electric
S
Sam Preston
Host — CEO of Service Scalers

Key Takeaways

Explore unconventional, low-competition local marketing channels like print newspapers, church bulletins, or local sports sponsorships, as they can yield surprising lead generation at a low cost.

Consider advertising in high-traffic, captive audience locations like restrooms in local venues; despite initial skepticism, these can offer excellent brand recall and a unique conversation starter.

Actively participate in and sponsor local home shows; despite their fluctuating popularity, these events can be significant revenue drivers, especially if your competitors have pulled out.

Invest in B2B networking groups and events with related professionals (e.g., realtors, home inspectors), as these can provide highly valuable, professionalized word-of-mouth referrals.

Don't dismiss advertising based on scalability alone; even small-scale, high-lift local efforts can contribute significantly to lead volume and overall revenue, especially if they are inexpensive.

Leverage local micro-influencers or sponsor community meetups to gain cheap brand eyeballs, generate backlinks to your website, and foster community engagement.

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